As has happened so many times thus far into 2013, the Nats
had some early offense and followed it up with little else. The pitching was
all too great either as Coors Field got the best of both Dan Haren and Drew
Storen as the Nats dropped Game 1 of the series 8-3.

The offense got started in the second inning with a walk and
a single that were ultimately moved to second and third via a Dan Haren
sacrifice bunt and brought home on a two-out double by Denard Span. A promising
first four innings from Dan Haren gave the Nationals an opportunity to secure a
win, until a tough 5th inning derailed the team’s efforts. After
only giving up two hits in the first four innings and getting on base with his
single in the 4th, Dan Haren looked strong going into the 5th.
Unfortunately, that inning took a dramatic turn when the Rockies tied the game
with a two-run homer and followed up later in the 5th with Carlos Gonzalez
hitting a three-run homer.

Haren was relieved in the 6th by Erik Davis, who
managed to hold the Rockies to a quick scoreless inning, only surrendering one
hit. Fernando Abad came up for the 7th with a similar outing, allowing
an Arenado single before striking out the side.
After last season where the Nationals got so far on their young talent,
it is of no surprise that the new kids on the block are coming up with the ability
and desire to stick around in the majors.

Ian Desmond brought Jason Werth in on a single in an
otherwise quiet top of the 8th, cutting the Rockies lead to 5-3. Coming
in for the 8th was Drew Storen who gave up a two-run homer and
allowed another run to score; increasing the Rockies lead to 8-3. While a rough
outing for Storen, those were the first runs he’d surrendered since May 25 (9 appearances).

The Nats offense made some strong efforts without
Harper in the lineup, but ultimately could not put a sustained run together
aside from the second inning. The Nats are back at it tomorrow evening when
spot starter Ross Ohlendorf takes on Jorge De La Rosa.